I.
You file for yourself.
If you choose, there’s no need to involve an employer.
For physicians
EB-2 NIW for Professors and Researchers
If your research aligns with the national interests of the U.S., the EB-2 NIW may be your most direct pathway towards a Green Card. You can self-petition on the strength of your work, without waiting for an employer to sponsor you or completing PERM labor certification. At Manifest Law, our attorneys help professors and researchers build strong EB-2 NIW petitions from start to finish.
- Flat fees with payment plans, no hourly surprises
- Ex-USCIS officer review available on every plan
- Live case tracking through the Manifest portal
- Built for academic and industry researchers across STEM and beyond
/Find your path
What the EB-2 NIW is, and why professors and researchers use it
The EB-2 NIW lets researchers and professors self-petition for a Green Card by showing their work is in the U.S. national interest. For researchers, the path is wide: life sciences, climate, semiconductors, AI, national security, and many other fields can qualify when framed correctly.
Why professors and researchers choose the EB-2 NIW
II.
Your prior work counts.
Publications, grants, citations, and adopted methods all build the record.
III.
Your family comes with you.
Once your priority date is current, your spouse and children can file for a Green Card alongside you and receive work authorization while their cases are pending.
/Do you qualify
Do you qualify for the EB-2 NIW as a professor or researcher?
Prong 1: Substantial merit and national importance
Your research is in a field that matters to the U.S. This includes NIH priorities like cancer and infectious disease, NSF priorities like AI and quantum computing, DOE priorities like energy storage, and DARPA-aligned fields. We document the field’s importance with agency reports, strategy documents, and executive orders tied to your specific subfield.
Prong 2: You are well-positioned to advance the endeavor
Your training, publications, citations, grants, and a concrete forward-looking plan show you can move the field forward. Recommender letters from independent senior researchers help establish this prong.
Prong 3: Benefit to the U.S. from waiving the job offer requirement
Going through PERM does not serve the national interest given the urgency of the work, the cross-institutional scope of your research, or the impracticality of tying your contributions to a single employer.
How Manifest builds your EB-2 NIW case
I.
Endeavor statement first, evidence second
We start with a clear written endeavor that explains what you study, what you plan to do, and why it matters to the United States. The endeavor becomes the spine of the petition. Every piece of evidence ties back to it.
II.
National importance, documented with agency sources
We cite specific federal reports, agency strategy documents, and executive orders tied to your subfield. General claims about science being important do not move adjudicators.
III.
Recommenders who can speak to the field and to you
Recommendation letters need to do two things: vouch for your specific work and explain why the field matters nationally.
IV.
Premium processing, used strategically
Premium processing is available for the I-140 NIW petition. For researchers with a job start date, a status deadline, or a J-1 home residency issue, we recommend it from the start.
Meet our experienced attorneys
Our immigration lawyers are more than credentialed. They are personally committed to your outcome. Only 1% of attorney applicants are selected to work with Manifest, and they bring the care, insight, and precision needed to craft complex cases at the highest level.
Jeff Joseph
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
30+ Years of Experience
Gregory Boult
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
25+ Years of Experience5,000+ Cases Filed*
Rami Lee
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
18+ Years of Experience5,000+ Cases Filed*
Evan J. Law
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
17+ Years of Experience1,300+ Cases Filed*
Ana Senior
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
14+ Years of Experience1,200+ Cases Filed*
Lahaina Araneta McBeth
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
12+ Years of Experience4,800+ Cases Filed*
Avalon L. Paul
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
10+ Years of Experience1,700+ Cases Filed*
Ana Gabriela Urizar
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
10+ Years of Experience15,000+ Cases Filed*
Amanda Mitchell
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
9+ Years of Experience2,500+ Cases Filed*
Nicole Gunara
PRINC. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
7+ Years of Experience1,700+ Cases Filed*
Henry Lindpere
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
5+ Years of Experience700+ Cases Filed*
Bruna Maciel Soledade
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
5+ Years of Experience1,150+ Cases Filed*
*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client
/Our approach
Why clients trust Manifest’s immigration lawyers
Here is what our clients get on every Manifest case.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour. Payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for academics
We have represented professors, postdocs, research scientists, and lab leads across STEM and humanities at U.S. universities and research institutions.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa isn’t approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour. Payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for academics
We have represented professors, postdocs, research scientists, and lab leads across STEM and humanities at U.S. universities and research institutions.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa isn’t approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
01
Ex-USCIS officer review
Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.
02
Flat fees, no surprises
One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour. Payment plans are available.
03
Live case tracking
The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.
04
Built for academics
We have represented professors, postdocs, research scientists, and lab leads across STEM and humanities at U.S. universities and research institutions.
05
Money-back guarantee
If conditions are met and your visa isn’t approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.
*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client
/Success stories
Helping professors and researchers build their future in the U.S.
From EB-2 NIW self-petitions built on citation records and grant leadership to approvals after RFE responses, we’ve helped professors and researchers document the national importance of their work.
EB-2 NIW
NewA Health-Data Researcher Beats the H-1B Clock With an NIW
Patrick Duckett - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawPatrick Duckett helped an Indian healthcare data researcher pursue an approved EB-2 National Interest Waiver. Her case rested on a strong record of publications, federally funded research, and peer review, with premium processing targeted before her H-1B max-out.
EB-2 NIW
mRNA Purification Scientist Wins an NIW After a Year Lost Elsewhere
Siel Timperman - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawSiel Timperman helped an Indian biopharmaceutical scientist secure a Green Card through the EB-2 NIW. The case was built on his PhD-level expertise in manufacturing processes for advanced vaccines and therapies — a specialized skillset in a market projected to reach tens of billions of dollars — along with published research, patents, and recommendation letters from leading figures in the field. The approval came after a previous attorney had wasted nearly a year pursuing the wrong visa category.
EB-2 NIW
Social Work Professor Answers an RFE on Economic Benefit
Myron Morales - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawMyron Morales helped a social work professor overcome a Request for Evidence on her EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition. The response answered USCIS doubts about economic benefit and policy influence with endorsement letters from experts in her field and a focused plan showing concrete, near-term impact for underserved communities. Her extensive research record, which USCIS had already credited on the well-positioned prong, anchored the successful outcome.
EB-2 NIW
PhD Candidate Wins an NIW Before Finishing His Doctorate
Carmiann Cespedes - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCarmiann Cespedes helped a doctoral researcher working at the intersection of materials science, machine learning, and AI win approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver by successfully overcoming a challenging Request for Evidence. USCIS had questioned his eligibility under the exceptional ability route and the national importance of his proposed work. The response established both prongs, securing approval while he was still completing his PhD.
EB-2 NIW
NewA Health-Data Researcher Beats the H-1B Clock With an NIW
Patrick Duckett - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawPatrick Duckett helped an Indian healthcare data researcher pursue an approved EB-2 National Interest Waiver. Her case rested on a strong record of publications, federally funded research, and peer review, with premium processing targeted before her H-1B max-out.
EB-2 NIW
mRNA Purification Scientist Wins an NIW After a Year Lost Elsewhere
Siel Timperman - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawSiel Timperman helped an Indian biopharmaceutical scientist secure a Green Card through the EB-2 NIW. The case was built on his PhD-level expertise in manufacturing processes for advanced vaccines and therapies — a specialized skillset in a market projected to reach tens of billions of dollars — along with published research, patents, and recommendation letters from leading figures in the field. The approval came after a previous attorney had wasted nearly a year pursuing the wrong visa category.
EB-2 NIW
Social Work Professor Answers an RFE on Economic Benefit
Myron Morales - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawMyron Morales helped a social work professor overcome a Request for Evidence on her EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition. The response answered USCIS doubts about economic benefit and policy influence with endorsement letters from experts in her field and a focused plan showing concrete, near-term impact for underserved communities. Her extensive research record, which USCIS had already credited on the well-positioned prong, anchored the successful outcome.
EB-2 NIW
PhD Candidate Wins an NIW Before Finishing His Doctorate
Carmiann Cespedes - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCarmiann Cespedes helped a doctoral researcher working at the intersection of materials science, machine learning, and AI win approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver by successfully overcoming a challenging Request for Evidence. USCIS had questioned his eligibility under the exceptional ability route and the national importance of his proposed work. The response established both prongs, securing approval while he was still completing his PhD.
EB-2 NIW
NewA Health-Data Researcher Beats the H-1B Clock With an NIW
Patrick Duckett - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawPatrick Duckett helped an Indian healthcare data researcher pursue an approved EB-2 National Interest Waiver. Her case rested on a strong record of publications, federally funded research, and peer review, with premium processing targeted before her H-1B max-out.
EB-2 NIW
mRNA Purification Scientist Wins an NIW After a Year Lost Elsewhere
Siel Timperman - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawSiel Timperman helped an Indian biopharmaceutical scientist secure a Green Card through the EB-2 NIW. The case was built on his PhD-level expertise in manufacturing processes for advanced vaccines and therapies — a specialized skillset in a market projected to reach tens of billions of dollars — along with published research, patents, and recommendation letters from leading figures in the field. The approval came after a previous attorney had wasted nearly a year pursuing the wrong visa category.
EB-2 NIW
Social Work Professor Answers an RFE on Economic Benefit
Myron Morales - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawMyron Morales helped a social work professor overcome a Request for Evidence on her EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition. The response answered USCIS doubts about economic benefit and policy influence with endorsement letters from experts in her field and a focused plan showing concrete, near-term impact for underserved communities. Her extensive research record, which USCIS had already credited on the well-positioned prong, anchored the successful outcome.
EB-2 NIW
PhD Candidate Wins an NIW Before Finishing His Doctorate
Carmiann Cespedes - Immigration Lawyer Co-Counsel to Manifest LawCarmiann Cespedes helped a doctoral researcher working at the intersection of materials science, machine learning, and AI win approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver by successfully overcoming a challenging Request for Evidence. USCIS had questioned his eligibility under the exceptional ability route and the national importance of his proposed work. The response established both prongs, securing approval while he was still completing his PhD.
*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
/Testimonials
Client stories
Discover how Manifest has helped clients navigate the visa process and read their success stories.
Very professional, Simon and Dan responded to my clarifications with satisfaction. prepared my case with detailed documentation and got my approval from USCIS. Highly recommended for individuals looking for GC process under employment-based category
Gurinder Singh
I have worked with Dan and Simon directly, and my experience has been like no other. It feels like I'm talking with actual people who care about my case. Any questions I had, they were happy to assist me with in a very short time and make sure everything was clear before moving on to the next thing. I will definitely be working with them again in the future.
Sandra Rocha
I had an amazing experience with Manifest Law from the first intake interview, through a fast and professional process of working on the file, to a straightforward approval of my case. Catlea Bobis is a superstar attorney, and I recommend everyone considering trusting your case to professional support like I had with Catlea and the entire team at Manifest Law.
Irina Batukhtina
*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Related Articles
EB‑2 NIW Approval Rate and Historical Trends: Why Now Is the Time to File
Caryl Espinoza Jaen
EB‑2 NIW Premium Processing: Is It Worth It?
Deanna DeBara
EB‑2 NIW Denials Now Outpace EB‑1A: Recent USCIS Trends
Chelsea Spinos
EB‑2 NIW Business Plan: What to Include, Sample Structure, and USCIS Tips
Caryl Espinoza JaenEB‑2 NIW Approval Rate and Historical Trends: Why Now Is the Time to File
Caryl Espinoza JaenEB‑2 NIW Premium Processing: Is It Worth It?
Deanna DeBaraEB‑2 NIW Denials Now Outpace EB‑1A: Recent USCIS Trends
Chelsea SpinosEB‑2 NIW Business Plan: What to Include, Sample Structure, and USCIS Tips
Caryl Espinoza JaenEB‑2 NIW Approval Rate and Historical Trends: Why Now Is the Time to File
Caryl Espinoza JaenEB‑2 NIW Premium Processing: Is It Worth It?
Deanna DeBaraEB‑2 NIW Denials Now Outpace EB‑1A: Recent USCIS Trends
Chelsea SpinosEB‑2 NIW Business Plan: What to Include, Sample Structure, and USCIS Tips
Caryl Espinoza Jaen/FAQs
Still have questions about the EB-2 NIW as a professor or researcher?
How is EB-2 NIW different from EB-1A for researchers?
Both can be self-petitioned. EB-1A is the extraordinary-ability Green Card with a higher bar and, for many countries, shorter priority dates. EB-2 NIW turns on whether your work is in the national interest rather than top-of-field recognition, so a strong but earlier-career record often fits NIW first. A strategy call is the fastest way to see which your record supports.
Can I self-petition?
Yes. You petition for yourself, without an employer’s involvement. There is no PERM labor certification.
Do I need to be PI on a grant to qualify?
No. Being PI helps, but co-investigator roles, publications, citations, adopted methods, and a concrete forward-looking plan can establish that you are well-positioned to advance the endeavor. Recommender letters from independent senior researchers matter as much as grant title.
What if my subfield is not obviously in the national interest?
Most fields can qualify when framed correctly and tied to specific agency priorities — NIH, NSF, DOE, DARPA, and similar. We document national importance with federal reports, strategy documents, and executive orders tied to your exact subfield rather than general claims about science.
How long before I can file?
We start with a clear written endeavor, then map your evidence and recommenders. Premium processing is available for the I-140 NIW petition and is often recommended when you have a job start date or status deadline. Exact timing depends on how ready your record is — something to map on a strategy call.
Can my spouse work?
Once your priority date is current, your spouse and children can file for a Green Card alongside you and receive work authorization while their cases are pending.
Pay on Approval availability and payment terms are subject to the terms of the selected service plan and engagement agreement.
